Now，IwouldwinbackEgypt，ifImay，andtherebyaddglorytomynameandtheEmpire。Hearallthatheproposes，studyitwell，andmakereporttome。AfterwardsIwillseehimalone，whoforthepresentwillsendhimaletterbythehandofMartinaherebiddinghimopenallhishearttoyou。ForaweekormoreIshallhavenotimetospenduponthisMagas，whomustgivemyselftobusinessuponwhichhangsmypowerandperchancemylife。“
Thesewordsshespokeheavily，thenfellintoafitofbrooding。
Rousingherself，shewenton:
“Didyounoteyesterday，Olaf，ifyouhadanymindleftforthethingsofearth，thatasIdroveinstatethroughthestreetsmanymetmewithsullensilence，whileotherscursedmeopenlyandshouted，’WhereistheAugustus？’’GiveusConstantine。Wewillhavenowoman’srule。’“
“Isawandheardsomethingofthesethings，Augusta；alsothatcertainofthesoldiersonguardinthecityhadamutinousair。“